Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-08-09
THE STOyE.CUrsING.
Alleged Errsrs tu the work ss the
New city Hall.

The Council Committee on Grounds
ard Buildings met in the Engineers
Office yesterday afternoon to consider
the resolution OF Mr.. Pizzini, adopted
by the Council, directing the copmit-
tee to inquire into alleged errors in
cutting the City Hall stone, &c. Mayor
Carrington was also present and con-
Quoted the investigation,
The witnesses examined were MIR.
Sullivan, member Of tho Common
Council and of the committee, and at
one time stone-cutter on the work in
question; Mr.. Pizzini, chairman Of the
committee; Mr.. David Leyshon, fore
man of the bricklayers, and Mr..
Thomas Riddell, sub-foreman of the
stone masons.
SOME OF THE CHARGES.
From statements made by Mr.. Sulli-
van and Mr.. Pizzini it appeared that
the allegations against those in charge
of the work were that the southwestern
corner of the building had been put up,
then taken down aud rebuilt that o
number of stones enormously cut and
dressed had been buried out OF sight in
the foundation, and that other stones
had been wrongly cut and had to be
altered at considerable loss.
WHOSE FAULT?
The examination showed, that an
error had been made as to the south
western corner OF the building, and
that the work had to be done over.
Whether the error was the fault OF the
workmen or Of Mr.. ShirrifTs the inves.
tigatlon has not yet advanced suill.
ciontly to show.
Mr.. Shilriffs, the engineer imme
diately in charge, is Of opinion that the
measurements as he gave them to the
men were correct, but he cannot be
sure.
As to the stones alleged to have been
buried, Nr. Riddell testified that some
balf-dozen cut stones intended for door
or window-jams we're found to be
streaked and Sonny, and were con-
demned and worked into the founda-
ton.
Mr.. Sullivan, from information in
his possession, insisted that in nu-
merous instances there had been bun
ders in the stone-cutting, and he gave
the name of Mr.. Gill rs one who knew
Of some of these facts. His other in
formnnts' names he did feel at liberty
to disclose.
TO-DAY.
To 90 to the bottom of the matter
the Mayor decided to adjourn the in
vestigation until to-day at . 7. NJ,
when, by his order, all the stone-cutters
employed on the City Hall, ten at a
time, will be brought before the Mayor
and the committee to tell all that they
may know of the subject matter OF the
investigation.
NO GEEAT Loss.
Mr.. Netherwood, the superintendent
Of stone-work on the building, is q
competent and experienced officer, but
it is not denied that there have been
errors in the work.
The two sub-foremen examined yes
terday stated that they never knew OF
a building of any large size to be put
up where there were not misfit stones,
&c, &c. The officers in charge, how
ever, expect to show at least that this
building has been as exempt from blum
ders as any in the country, and that
those which have been made have not
been, comparatively speaking, of much
cost to the city.
AN ACT OF VANDALISM.
At some time between Saturday eve
nlng and yesterday morning some un-
known person, actuated by malice as
the officials believe, entered the stone
cutters sheds in the City-Hall lot and
showered a large quantity of ink on
three of the newly-cut granite cap
stones which were designed TO be used
in the building. These stones were
cut at a cost of about 500 each, and
the offender no doubt thought that no
had ruined them. Certainly they now
present a very ugly appearance, but
Coroner Taylor said yesterday evening
that he thought the ink could be re-
moved by chemical agencies.
There was a watchman on duty be-
tween the hours stated, but the prem
ises are large and there are so many
distractions to his view that the act
could easily be done without coming
under his notice.